Fastening device



INVENTOR.

ATTOR Y May 24, 1932 G. SUNDBACK FASTENING DEVICE- Filed Dec. 14, 1929 6702900 Jana baa? Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GIDEON SUNDBACK, OF MEADVTLLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HOOKLESS FAS- TENER COMPANY, OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

FASTENING DEVICE Application filed December 14, 1929. Serial No. 414,158.

' My invention relates to fastening devices and articularly to that class of such devices whic comprises opposed series of fastener elements adapted to be progressively interlocked by being brought together successively at an angle to each other. i

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction of the fastener elements so that they can be quickly and cheaply manufactured.

' Another object of my invention is to provide an improved fastener construction of the type in which each interlocking element comprises a small length of wire bent to the desired shape.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustration two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice. In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fastener embodying my invention with a part of the slider broken away.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the manner in which the parts of a stringer of my improved fastener are assembled.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal central section on line 44 of Fig. 1 through a portion of my improved fastener showing the-method of interlocking.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified construction.

Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional View similar to Fig. 4, showing a fastener made according to the modified construction.

Figs. 7 8 and 9 are views of the wire blank illustrating steps of the process of forming a fastener element of the modified construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6. j

The fastening device of the type to which my invention relates usually comprises a pair of flexible stringers which, in the drawings, are designated 11 and 12 and a series of spaced fastener elements secured to the adjacent edges of said stringers. A slider '13 is usually employed to bring the fastener elements together successively at an angle to the slider the connecting means not be Each of the ing shown in the drawings. stringers 11 and 12 comprises a relatively hard cord or wire 14 to which is secured a series of spaced wire fastener elements 15 and a. fabric tape 16 doubled over the cord 14. The tape 16 is provided with a series of apertures 17 to receive the fastener elements 15 and these apertures are preferably formed by leaving out certain of the warp threads inthe central portion of the fabric leaving the two sides connected together only by the weft threads. means for connecting the fastener to an article to be fastened.

. Each of the interlocking elements 'in the preferred form is made by bending a round wire to substantially a U-shape providing parallel side "portions 18 and 19 connected together by thebent portion 20. The ends of the bent wire project outwardly from the stringer and one of such ends is longer than the other and is bent back upon itself and upwardly at an angle to provide the interlock- The tapes 16 provide suitableing projection 21 which is positioned between around the cord 14, the cord is compressed so that the fastener elements are held securely against displacement along the stringer. In practice, there will be ajcertai'n amount trated in Figs. 7 and 8this wire isrolled to v,

ble transversely of the stringers. e

may be freely nt to take the shape of the article to which it is attached and still re-.

main securely interlocked.

to 9 inclusive the construction is substantially the same except that the inner surfaces of the side portions 18 .and 19 are flattened as indicated at 23 and 24 to provide two parallel flat surfaces for receiving the interlocking projections 21 of adjacent fastener elements. In making this type of fastener element a straight wire blank 25 has one-end offset as shown at 26 in Fig. 9. Inthestr'ip as illusprovide a flat surface 27 extending to the offset portion and when the wire is doubled over as in Fig. 5 the flat surface 27 forms the.

I parallel surfaces 23 and 24.

In operation, the opposed series of fastener elements -are brought together in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 by means of the slider 13. When they approach each other at an angle, the ends of the elements ride over one another and the interlocking pro jections 21 fall into the spaces between the side portions of adjacent fastener elements. If a pull is exerted on the opposite sides of the fastener, the end surfaces 22 will abut against the under side of the bent end portion of an adjacent fastener element and by the cumulative .action of the whole series of elements, the fastener is held securely in. fastened condition. When itfis desired to open the fastener, the slider is operated in the reverse direction and the-entering wedge spreads the fastener elements apart and 'causes them to be progressively unlocked.

YAs aresult of my invention, it will be apparent that a novel 'fastener construction has been provided which can be easily and cheaply manufactured. Each of the fastener elements simply requires a short length of wire to be bent up to the desired shape and assembled in a stringer with other like elements. The fastener elements on both stringers are alike which tends further toward low cost of manufacture.

While I have in this application specifically described two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice it will be understood that these forms are merely for the purpose of illustration and description and that various other embodiments may be devised within the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is: 1 1. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of wire'bent upon v itself in a plane transverse to said stringersand having one end bent up between said bent portions out. of said plane to provide means for interlocking with the elements ments secured to said stringers, each of said In the modification illustrated in' Figs. 5

elements on the opposite stringer.

3. A fastener comprising a pair of fiexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elementssecured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising astrip of metal bent upon itself in a plane transverse to said stringers, one of the ends of said strip projecting free from said stringer and being bent backwardly and at an angle to said plane to constitute interlocking means for cooperation with the elements on the opposite stringer. I

4. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising-a strip of round wire bent in a plane transverse to said stringers to provide spaced portions, one end of said wire being bent up from said plane and at an angle thereto betweensaid portions to provide means for interlocking with the elements on the opposite stringer.

5. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to-said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of wire bent around one of said stringers and having its ends projecting outwardly therefrom, one of said ends being bent between said portions and upwardly from the plane of such portions to provide means for interlocking with anelement on the opposite stringer.

6. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of wire bent upon itself in a plane transverseto said stringers and having one end bent up from said plane and at an angle thereto, the end. surface of such end abutting against a bent portion on a similar member of the opposite stringer. I

7. A fastener comprising a pairof flexible stringers, rows ofcooperating fastener elements secured.to said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of wire bent upon itself to provide parallel spaced portions, one

interlock therewith.

8. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of wire bent upon itself to provide spaced outwardly extending portions one end of the wire being bent between such portions and at an angle of substantially 45 to the plane'of such portions to project between the spaced bent portion of a similar member on the opposite stringer.

9. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of wire bent upon itself to provide parallel spaced portions,

one of the ends of such wire being bent between said portions and upwardly from the plane of such portions and a tape having apertures therein folded around said stringer with said elements projecting through said apertures.

10. A fastener comprising a pair of flexible stringers, rows of cooperating fastener elements secured to said stringers, each of said elements comprising a strip of substantially round wire having one side thereof flattened, said wire being bent upon itself with said flat sides facing each other to provide parallel spaced portions disposed in a plane per pendicular to said stringers, one end of each of said wires being bent upwardly from said plane and backwardly at'an angle thereto so as to project into the space between the fiat sides on a similar element of the opposite stringer.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' GIDEON SUNDBAOK. 

